MCCAIN CAVES TO BIG OIL ON OFF-SHORE DRILLING

1999: McCain, Campaigning In California, Endorsed A Moratorium On Offshore Oil Drilling. "For a moment, Republican presidential hopeful John McCain almost sounded like a San Francisco liberal. The Arizona senator said yesterday that gays and lesbians would be welcome to serve in his administration. He decried the influence of money in politics. He endorsed a moratorium on offshore oil drilling." [San Francisco Chronicle, 7/29/99]

1999: McCain Supports The Current Moratorium On Oil Drilling. "In response to a query of the candidates, Gore and Bradley promised to support the existing moratorium, in addition to opposing the leases. Both also say they will work with the seven oil companies holding leases to find alternatives to drilling. That could mean canceling the leases, or buying out the companies in a deal like the one that secured the Headwaters Forest. McCain supports the current moratorium, but hasn't decided on the pending leases. Steve Forbes hasn't replied to questions about oil drilling." [Ventura County Star, 11/15/99]

State Senator and U.S. Senate Candidate Kay Hagan (D-Guilford) will welcome the 2008 Teach for America- Eastern North Carolina Corps teachers to North Carolina and talk with them about their commitment to education. Approximately 100 new teachers will begin serving this fall in the Durham, Franklin, Granville, Halifax, Johnston, Nash, Northampton, Vance, and Warren County schools, as well as the Weldon City schools.

WEDNESDAY
WHO: State Senator and U.S. Senate Candidate Kay Hagan
WHAT: Kay will welcome 2008 Teach for America- Eastern North Carolina Corps teachers to the state
WHERE: Peace College Kenan Auditorium; 15 East Peace Street, Raleigh
WHEN: 9:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Contact: Colleen Flanagan
Colleen@kayhagan.com
336-686-7053

New Chapel and Three Schools for Fort Bragg Included

U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre announced today that the House Armed Services Committee, of which he is a senior member, has approved more than $697 million for military construction projects for North Carolina military installations in the 2009 National Defense Authorization Bill. The bill includes a brand new Chapel which Rep. McIntyre had specifically requested, as well as three new schools for Fort Bragg.

In noting the benefits to Southeastern North Carolina’s bases, Congressman McIntyre stated, “This is a win-win for our military installations and the communities that support them! The 2009 funding includes a grand total of $179 million for Fort Bragg to continue improvements at this premier installation, and Camp Lejeune will receive $353 million.”

U.S. Representative Mike McIntyre recently welcomed representatives from Star Telephone and Atlantic Telephone to discuss issues affecting communications service for consumers in Southeastern North Carolina. McIntyre and the telecommunication representatives explored the challenges small communications providers face in bringing affordable communications technologies to the rural communities in the 7th Congressional district.

In approving the annual defense authorization bill today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield said the House closed the door on the Navy’s proposed outlying landing field in Washington County.

“The House has taken the Washington County site off the table because it posed a danger to the community, pilots and aircraft,” Butterfield said. “This is a clear message that if the Navy wants to move forward with an OLF it must have the support of the community.”

The conference report on the FY 2008 National Defense Authorization Bill includes language repealing “the authority for construction of an outlying landing field at Washington County, North Carolina.” The language goes on to say conferees “expect the Department of the Navy to request new authorization for an outlying field once a study of the impact to the environment is complete and a site is selected.”

The House approved the bill by a 370 to 49 vote. The bill now goes to the Senate for an up or down vote, and, if approved, it goes to President Bush to be signed into law.

Wade Rawlins, New and Observer

Gov. Mike Easley on Wednesday said U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole is failing residents of two counties where the Navy is considering building a jet landing strip by not speaking against the project.

In an unusually sharp exchange, the governor -- who had worked with the Navy to find the sites -- urged the state's congressional delegation to heed local opposition to the so-called outlying landing field in Eastern North Carolina.

"The people in Gates and Camden Counties do not want the OLF, therefore I do not want the OLF in Gates and Camden," Easley said in a prepared statement. "It is time for Elizabeth Dole to learn that she represents the people of North Carolina, including those counties."

By Angela Mack, Wilimington Star
William Barber expects state civil rights activists to get a second wind this week in their race to end racial disparities.

More than 1,000 NAACP members representing North Carolina's 100 counties are expected to attend the 64th annual N.C. State NAACP Convention in Wilmington from Thursday through Saturday.

"Members that come to this convention will get a fresh instillation, a fresh anointing, a fresh call to commitment," said Barber, state NAACP president. "We still have work to do."

Local NAACP officials believe hosting the convention will shed light on local issues. City leaders say the event will not only be a boost to the local economy but may also provide new ways to increase diversity and bring change to the city.